RADIO
We've joined forces with FanPicks to explore a new kind of DFS experience for all of our RotoBaller readers. This new live DFS game allows you to not only pick your lineup, but also become a fantasy head coach of sorts.
With FanPicks' in-game contest, you have a bench to move players to your starting line-up. Yes, you read that correctly: live, in-game swaps, for DFS. You would think that would never happen. However, at FanPicks, they take the unlikely and make it a reality.
If you haven't played on FanPicks yet, this is a great opportunity to play against one of our DFS experts, Drake Peaugh, in this special live in-game contest. There are limited slots, so jump on it to reserve an entry for yourself. Just sign up and make a $10 deposit on FanPicks, and enter the contest "NFL Rotoballer IG NO JUICE" with code baller25.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!
Some Really Cool Live In-Game Features
Not only do you get to pick players from a matchup that is absolutely stacked with fantasy-scoring potential in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, you have the ability to do in-game swaps like Jaylen Samuels for James Conner if Conner gets injured. On the flipside, you can swap Juju Smith-Schuster for Mike Evans if the Steelers have to make a second-half comeback. It would have been helpful to swap out Phillip Lindsay for Royce Freeman yesterday, as Lindsay got himself ejected early.
You also have the ability to apply one power multiplier to a starting player for 15 minutes. This power multiplier last 15 minutes, and will multiply the scoring for the picked player by 2x. For example, if you decide on Antonio Brown as your multiplier player in the first quarter, and he scores 10 points during that time frame, the multiplier you gave him now gives him 20 points.
Quick Game Rundown
You get $40,000 in a salary cap space to pick four starting players and three on your bench. Bench playersthey accumulate no points. You can swap players as soon as the game starts, up to one swap per quarter but two in the 4th quarter. Swaps cost $1 a pop in the first half and $2 in the second half. The cost to swap is deducted from your cash balance but added to the prize pool. For a more detailed explanation, check out this FanPicks YouTube Tutorial.
My Lineup
There is a Vegas Over/Under of 54.5 so scoring shouldn't be tough to come by for this contest. I'm taking Fitz to start since Big Ben is pricier and struggles away from home. Last year he threw for 62 yards less per game, four less touchdowns and completed 5% less of his passes. However, having in-game swap capabilities, you can always swap him in later if the Steelers are playing catch-up. That's what makes this DFS format so much fun - players you normally avoid now become bench candidates in case they play well.
As for skill players for Pittsburgh, we will focus tonight on JuJu Smith-Schuster. He is statistically neck-in-neck with All-Pro teammate, Antonio Brown. He has 27 targets, 18 receptions, and 240 receiving yards. He is tops in the league in Yards After Catch Above Expectation. He is priced well on FanPicks at $5600, $2100 cheaper than Antonio Brown.
Fitzmagic is primed for another big game, as the Steelers currently rank bottom three in the NFL in points allowed, passing TDs allowed, rushing attempts, and rushing yards. This is a small sample size impacted by Patrick Mahomes' dominance last week, but Fitzpatrick is on a hot streak, and will likely come out of the gates looking for a 75-yard play-action to DeSean Jackson. He is fourth in average air yards per pass attempt, four different touchdowns of at least 35 yards, and Pittsburgh has allowed five touchdown passes of at least 15+ yards, most in the NFL.
You can be very confident in picking this Buccaneers squad as their QB and WRs are producing top value in the league and their defense, like the Steelers defense, has struggled, allowing the sixth most points to quarterbacks, fourth most to running backs, ninth most to receivers, and sixth most to tight ends. The entire Buccaneers squad is priced down on FanPicks, and they give you more flexibility than the Steelers when creating a lineup.
Get in There
I look forward to seeing people challenge me on FanPicks tonight. I am pretty excited about using the in-game swap and I'm sure you will love it as well. Just go to FanPicks, make a deposit of just $10, and enter the contest to play against me. The winner of the contest will receive a free RotoBaller Premium Pass for the NFL season.
Follow me on Twitter @DrakePFSA and join me tonight on FanPicks.com.
